BOBBIE Goulding's brilliant but controversial career with St. Helens is over.

The Great Britain scrum half was given a free transfer to Huddersfield Giants on Thursday as the board's patience finally snapped.

Goulding had been suspended for more than two weeks over disciplinary matters and has been no stranger to off the field troubles during his four year spell with the club.

He is undoubtably a brilliant player and was instrumental in Saints recent successes in winning the first Super League and two Challenge Cups under Shaun McRae.

The side go into Sunday's clash with Bradford Bulls knowing there is a major claim on fourth spot at stake on the outcome.

The Saints and the Bulls are currently deadlocked on 18 points and while a two point cushion would not guarantee the place come the end of the season, winning will be a major psychological boost during the run in to the play-offs.

Games between the two sides also have an extra tang for Saints coach Shaun McRae after his side has twice beaten them in Challenge Cup finals.

However, Saints have come off worst in the last four Super League meetings between the two sides and McRae is keen to put the record straight in what could be the last match between the two with him at the helm.

He said: "There can't be any shortage of incentive for anyone in this game and it should a good, physical contest.

"They always raise their game against us and I don't expect any different this time. I wasn't happy with the way the game ended up at their place earlier this season, particularly the controversial video try.

"They've been up and down themselves in terms of consistency as well this season and they're coming off the back of a big win too so it could have all the hallmarks of a classic match.

"Winning this game won't guarantee us fourth place but it would be a big help and keeps alive any hope of catching Halifax in third."

An unsuccessful dalliance with Shaun Edwards has badly disrupted the Bulls' season but a six try trashing of the Hull Sharks got them back on track on the weekend.

McRae said: "They've got some real quality in their side with players like Robbie Paul, James Lowes and Tevita Vaikona. Stuart Spruce is always a difficult man to stop at full back as well.

"We all know Graeme Bradley likes to make his presence know and there's no love lost between him and Paul Newlove."

Prop Apollo Perelini will face a late fitness test before the game after suffering bruising to his hip and groin against Warrington. Paul Davidson also took an ankle knock but is expected to recover in time.

Punch

Brett Goldspink and Karle Hammond are the likely replacements, with Paul Sculthorpe moving back to second row if Davidson misses out.

Vila Matautia is out through a one match suspension he picked up after being sent off in an Alliance game against Huddersfield, his first match back in eight months.

Football operations manager Eric Hughes, who accompanied Matautia to the hearing, said: "The disciplinary committee accepted everything we said in mitigation about how the guy threw the first punch but still felt they couldn't let him off scott free.

"I've watched the video again and we won't be appealing against the decision."

McRae admits Matautia could be missed: "It's a shame Vila's out because he's the sort of player I think could do some damage against Bradford."

Sunday's game has been switched to a 7.35pm kick-off so it can be shown on Sky television. This is a change from the usual kick-off time of 6.35pm for Sunday televised games.

Saints will be making an announcement about Bobbie Goulding's future at the club early next week and the omens do not look good for the errant scrum half.

The 26-year-old has rarely been far from controversy during his three and a half years at Knowsley Road and it seems the board's patience has finally snapped.

There is no doubting that Goulding is an immensely talented player, taking a crucial role in the club's success in winning Super League III and two Challenge Cups.

However, divisions within the Saints squad have led to some deeply disappointing displays this season and axing Goulding may be seen as a necessary sacrifice.

The decision to drop coach Shaun McRae has already shown that board is not afraid to make changes since Eric Ashton was replaced by Tom Ellard as chairman.

Sean Long in action at scrum half on Sunday as he totalled up a 24 point personal tally. Full match report page 55.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.